Evaporating-pan.



Nu. 66L526. Patented Nov. I3, I900. J. J. HENRY. EVMPURATING PAN. (Applicatiox; med June 22, 1900.

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

WIiUVESSES INVENYIOR: Jiayer JP Henry BY ATTORNEY.

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No. 66!,526. Patented Nov. l3, I900.

J. .1. HENRY.

EVAPOBATING PAN.

(Application filed June 22, 1900.\ (No Modal.) 3 $heets-Sheat 2.

WjTNESSES: INVENTORI m Jiwyer v BY A I I .i ATTORNEY.

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- m, 66|,526. Pafented Nov. l3, I900.

J; HENRY. EVAPDBATING PAN.

(Application filed June 22, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(N6 Model.

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JASPER J. HENRY, OF GREENCASTLE, INDIANA.

lEVAPORATING-PAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 661,526, dated November 13, 1900.

Application filed June 22, 1900. 591ml ZL 9 model- To all It-7mm, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JASPER J. HENRY, a citizen of the United States, residingat Greencastie, in the count-yof Putnam and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Evaporators; and I do declare the fOllOWli'lg to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to evaporators of the class particularly which is employed in red ncing maple-sap to the consistency of syrup; and the objects are to provide apparatus of this character which shall exhibit the highest elliciency and as nearly automatically as possible and which shall he self-contained and compact, so as to be easily set up for use.

The invention consists in new and novel improvements in the details of construction generally, and particularly in relation to the pans and connections, in a new and useful means whereby the syrup may be discharged from the finishing-pan at the proper time and from the other pans of the series into lhe finishing-pan automatically; and it consists also in the parts and combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter particularly described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents a central longitudinal vertical sectional View of the complete apparatus as constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2,21 top plan view; Fig. 2-5, a fragmentary sectional view as on line 1 l in Fig. 2, showing some parts omitted in Fig. 2, but shown in Fig. 1; Fig. i, a transverse vertical sectional view of a pan as on line 2 2 in Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a side elevation; Fig. 6, a front elevation; Fig. 7, a transverse vertical sectional View as on line in Fig. 1; Fig. 8, atragmentary detailview; Fig. 9, a perspective view of one of the pans; Figs. 10, ll, and 12, fragmentary detail views; Fig. 13, a transverse vertical sectional view as on line a 4 in Fig. 2, and Fig. 14 a top plan view of the weighingdever.

Similar reference characters in the several views of the drawings designate similar parts.

In construction I provide a furnace the top paratus may have been set up for use.

of which is ordinarily open, but in operation is covered by the evaporating-pans and may be built complete in a shop; but preferably the brick lining may be put in after the ap- The furnace proper comprises two sides A and A, composed each of an oblong rectangularshtmt or cast-iron plate of suitable length to extend from one end to the other of the furnace and of suitable width when set up on edge to provide for a proper height, a bottom plate i3, also of sheet or cast iron, extending from the rear or chimney end to the grates, a front C, preferably of cast iron, and a rear end plate D, in which a door may be arranged, if desired, as is usual for cleaning purposes. The front C is provided with suitable doors f. Near the rear-end isa horizontal partltionplate E, preferably of cast-iron, extending from near the plate D a suitable distance toward the front 0 or somewhat longer in that direction than the length of the pan that is located above the partition. At the forward end of the partition is a damper F, mounted on a rock-shaft Z and adapted to close the draft-passages either above or below the plate E. The rock-shaft Z is suitably journaled in the sides A A and extends through the latter, having secured thereto a spring-1e ver q, working in connection with a notched or serrated sector p, secured to the outer side of the side plate A. Supporting -legs a are provided, being preferably bolted to foundation-plates c, secured to the side plates A A. The end adjacent the front 0 may be termed the firebox proper and has grate-bars b, suitably supported so as to be approximatelyin alinemeut with the bottom plate B. Below the grate-bars, and preferably supmorting them, is a frame it, connected with the frontOand extending therefrom at the sides of the til-e box and across at the ends of the grate-bars opposite the front 0, this frame /L supporting a closed hopper if, having at its bottom a slidegate j, serving both as a damper and retainer for the ashes from the fire-box, and it is preferably set in a sloping plane. Below the hop per is an ash-pan it, which may be entirely separate and removable or may be suitably supported by the apparatus. At the rear end of the furnace, extending from the plate 1) forward a short distance, is a roof-plate m,

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preferably of cast-iron, extending from the side plate A to the opposite side plate A and secured thereto, the roof-plate having an elevated flange m across the forward edge thereof and also a raised flange n, surrounding an aperture for the exit of smoke, and to this flange a chimney n is connected. The top of the bottom plate B and the inner sides of the side platesA and A are faced with bricks dand 6, respectively, preferably of the character known as fire-brick. The upper edges of the side plates A A are stiffened laterally by angle-iron strips 1, which also provide conveniently broad ledges for supporting the evaporatingpans.

The evaporating-pans may be of any suitable number and size to conform to the predetermined dimensions of the furnace, four pans being usually preferred, and that one in which the liquid first enters over the fire-box being preferably of greater capacity than the others both in plan and in depth. These are designated as G, H, I, and J and are in tended to be placed close together, but are shown slightly separated in order to clearly distinguish them as being separate vessels. Each is rectangular in plan and has a rib 8, preferably of cast-iron, at two bottom edges which rest upon the ledges of the furnace. As I preferably construct and arrange the pans the larger one or sap-pan has four partitions L and the remaining syrup-pans have each three similar partitions, all arranged so as to be disposed in lines transverse to the furnace, so as to provide a series of vessels or receptacles, all of which are suitably connected, as will appear. Each partition has a small passage-way 5 at one end thereof, these being arranged at alternate ends of the series of partitions, so that the liquid may flow continuously from one receptacle to the other adjacent in the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, the channel being completed from one pan to another by means of a hollow plug 0, connecting each two adjacent pans at the sides thereof corresponding to the side A of the furnace which is the operating side. Each partition L is provided at its upper edge with a tube M, extending horizontally from one end to the other and communicating at its ends with apertures t in the sides of the pans, or the tubes may have, their openings above the sides, if desired, so that the atmospheric air may pass through the tubes, each of which has a vertical tube or flue N connecting therewith centrally to induce a circulation of the air. When running water may be had, I may use it instead of the air for cooling the tubes, in which case I provide connecting or branch pipes g, which are detachably connected to the tubes M, to form a continuous passage, and then the lines N may be closed with corks. The object of cooling the tubes M is to aid in keeping down the bubbles or scum which rises on the surface of the hot liquid and prevent the same from overflowing the tops of the sides of the pans, which should be slightly higher than the tubes M.

The hollow plugs 0 each are tapering exteriorly and may be driven into suitably-prepared holes 17, which are preferably arranged by attaching welts 24, so as to build up the plate of which the pan is formed. Each end of each plug has a valve'seat either at the interior, as 25, for an internal valve P', or at the exterior for a cup-valve P or Q, either of which type may be employed, as it is not necessary that they seat absolutely tight. In one corner of the bottom of each pan is an outlet 7, at the top of which a valve R may be seated when such pan occupies the position of the pan J, and each outlet is provided at the exterior of the pan with a valve or cook K, through which either the syrup or the wash-Water may be drained.

The hollow plug 0, connecting the pans G and H, is provided with a manuallycontrolled valve, as P or P, to which is connected a lever 8, pivoted to a bracket 9, having a notched sector 10, which is engaged by a pawl 12, pivoted to the lever S, the lever being pressed by a spring 13, so as to close the valve. Thus the passage-way may be kept either closed or open as may be desired in operation.

The plug 0 between the pans l and J is also provided with a suitable valve, as Q or P, but is designed to be operated automatically by means of a float 16 in the pan J, attached .to a lever 15, which is connected to the valve and pivoted to a bracket 14, attached to the adjacent partition L, and such a bracket is attached to acorresponding partition in each of the smaller pans, so that the valve and connect-ions may be transferred from one pan to another when the pans maybe transposed in their positions.

The'larger pan G, or the first one'in the series as operated, has a hracket 26, to which is pivoted a bell-crank Z, to one arm of which is secured a hollow float Y of suitable shape and dimensions and the other arm of which is connected to a rod 28, provided with an adjusting-turnbuckle 29, and the rod 28 is connected at its opposite end to a lever 27 of a cock X, having a discharge-pipe 30 and connected to a supply-tank W, from which and by means of the cock and float the pan G may be automatically supplied with the d sired quantity of the maple-water or other liquid to be evaporated.

The pan J, or that one at the end of the series which is used in the final act of evaporation,is provided with an automatic weigher which is adj nstable, so that it may be adapted to operate in syrup of various degrees of density, the weigher being designed to permit the syrup to flow from the pan when it may have attained the desired consistency. The weigher preferably comprisesa lever S, pivoted at one end in a bracket 18, previously described, and having aslot 19 in its opposite end, through which extends the threaded stem it of a suitable tloat 'l, which may be elevated or depressed in the liquid by means of screw-nuts o and '21) engaging the stem u, and the tloat may also be moved toward or from the fulcrum of the lever b by shifting the stem in the slot 19. The lever S is connected by a rod 20, and the rod is connected to a valve R, heretofore described, which covers the opening to the cock K. The float T is to be suitably weighed to suit the consistency of the syrup to be drawn off, so that it may rise in the syrup and raise the valve R against the pressure of the syrup. When the weigher is used, the cock K obviously must be open. 'lheplug O at the rear of the pan J may be closed by a plug (5 or otherwise. Each pan is provided with one or two props V, which are also formed as brackets for supporting the pan in positions partially inverted, as shown in Fig. 12, when not in use. Each prop has two arms and 23, at the junction of which the prop is pivoted to a bracket 21, secured to the outer side of the pan near the bottom thereof and opposite the drain-cock, so that the arm may depend perpendicularly and the arm 22 extend from the side of the pan at an oblique angle. The extremity of the arm is preferz'tbly notched or forked. The side plate A has a series of Ushaped brackets U, secured thereto, so that the arms 23 may extend through their loops, there being a bracket for each of such arms, and when cleansing the pans they may be elevated at one side by placing the forked end of the arms upon the outer ends or loops of the brackets U. After draining the pans they may be tilted over against the arms 22 to keep out dust, the arm 22 then resting upon the bracket U and the lattersupporting the prop at the angle of the two arms, while the rib 3 may rest upon the edge of the plate A.

In practical use, the pans being arranged, as described upon the furnace, the cocks K closed, the plug 6 inserted, and the cock X opened manually, the pans may be filled from the supply-tan k, the valve-lever 8 having been properly set so to open the valve connected therewith. The float 16 will hold open the valve connected therewith until the pan J shall have been filled sufficiently. A fire may then be kindled on the grates and its intensity regulated by the slidej, and the degree of heat desired under the pan J may be governed by manipulating the damper F. hen the syrup shall have attained the proper consistency, the weigher should open the outlet valve R and allow a suitable quan' tity of the syrup to flow out, when the valve should close, and as the quantity in the pan J becomes nearly exhausted the float 16 should descend, opening its connected valve and allowing a supply to enter from the adjoining pan, when the How should cease by reason of the float again rising with the liquid, so that the pan J would be then cutoff from the others and its contents more readily ripened without constant mixing with the partially-evaporated liquid. Other steps in the operation will be readily understood by reference to the description in connection with the details of construction.

It is well known that the finishing-pan J receives a heavy coating upon its bottom, which is difficult to remove, and when such scale forms I transpose the pans, placing such pan next to the first or pan G of the series, where the thin liquid effectually dissolves the accumulation, the valves and levers being transferred accordingly.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An evaporator including a series of pans having each a series of partitions each provided with a tube extending horizontally along the top thereof, and branch pipes connecting such tubes'in pairs so as to form a continuous cooling-duct through such tubes, whereby the upper edges of such tubes may be influenced by a cooling-current.

2. An evaporator including a series of pans having each a partition or pluralityof partitions dividing the pan into con'lpartments in pairs, passages connecting the compartments at the ends thereof,ducts connecting the pans at the ends of compartments opposite the ends having the passages, whereby the relative positions of the pans may be transposed without changing the course of the passages through the series, interchangeable valves for the ducts, an outlet-valve for each pan, a horizontally-disposed cooling-tube at the top of each of such partitions, and connecting-pipes for such tubes.

An evaporator comprising a furnace, a sap-pan and a series of transposable syruppans, a series of hollow plugs connecting such pans in alinement and situated between adjacent walls of the pans near corners thereof, transverse partitions in the pans, passages in the partitions so disposed with relation to said ducts as to form a continuous passage for the liquid alternating uniformly in transverse directions throughout the seriesof pans, detachably-mounted valves for the hollow plugs, outlet-valves for the pans, apd cooling-tubes disposed horizontally at the tops of the partitions.

a. An evaporator comprising a furnace, a sap-pan and a series of transposable syruppans having interchangeable hollow plugs connecting the pans, interchangeable valves fitted to the hollow plugs, valve levers, brackets on each of the transposable pans whereby to support the valve-levers, an outlet-cock connected with each pan,'partitions in the pans, passageways in the partitions, a Weighing'lever bracket attached to each of said transposable pans, an interchangeable outlet-valve seated at one of the outlet-cock ducts, a weighing lever connected with the outlet-valve and pivoted in the weighing-1e ver bracket, and cooling-tnbes disposed at IIO the tops of the partitions and extending from one end to the other end thereof.

5. An evaporator comprising a furnace, a series of transposable pans having interchangeable hollow plugs connecting the pans, interchangeable valves fitted to the plugs, valve-levers, brackets on each of the pans whereby to support the valve-levers, an outlet-cock connected with each pan, a weighing lever bracket attached to each pan, an interchangeable outlet-valve seated at one of the outlet-cock ducts, and a weighing-lever connected with the outlet-valve and pivoted in the weighing-lever bracket.

6. In an evaporator, the combination of the furnace comprising the side plates, the front and the rear plates connected to the side plates, the grate-bars at the lower parts of the front ends of the side plates, the horizontal partition extending between said side plates near the rear ends thereof, the bottom plate extending from said grate-bars to the rear ends of said side plates, the brick lining facing said side plates and said bottom plate, the damper operating at the frontof said pariition, the damper-lever, the hopper sup-' ported below said grate-bars, and the slide working at the bottom of said hopper; the pans having the partitions therein and resting upon said side plates, the ducts between said pans, the inlet-valve, the outlet-valve, the valves at said ducts, and the floats in said pans and connected to said several valves, whereby liquid may enter one of said pans and pass through the series of pans and flow from one of said pans automatically, substantially as set forth.

7. In an evaporator, the combination of the furnace comprising the side plates, the front and the rear plates secured to the side plates, the bottom plate, the angle-irons at the upper edges of said plates, the grate-bars between one end of said bottom plate and said front plate, the brick lining upon said bottom plate, the brick vertical lining against said side plates, the horizontal partition attached to said side plates, the damper working between said vertical linings, the damper-lever, the hopper having the inclined sides supported below said grate-bars, and the slide mounted in an inclined plane at the bottom of said hopper; the notched sector secured to one of said side plates and engaged by said damper-lever, the sap-pan mounted upon said angle-irons, the series of interchangeable syrup-pans also mounted upon said angle-irons, the hollow plugs connecting said pans, the interchangeable valves engaging said plugs, the levers connecting said valves, the supports for said levers, the partitions having the apertures in said pans and so disposed relatively to each other and to said hollow plugs as to provide a continuous channel from one corner of said sap-pan forward and backward alternately to the farther corner of the last one of said series of pans,

and the inlet and outlet valves for said pans, substantially as set forth.

8. In an evaporator, the combination of the furnace comprising the side plates, the angleirons at the upper edges of said plates, the front and the rear plates secured to said side plates, the bottom plate secured to said side plates, the brick lining for said plates, the horizontal partition, the grate-bars between one end of said bottom plate and said front plate, the hopper supported below said grates, and the slide at the bottom of said hopper; the series of pans having each the ribs at the bottoms thereof resting upon said angle-irons, the hollow plugs connecting said pans, the damper at said horizontal partition and operating against the bottom of one of said pans, the dam per-lever connected with said damper, and the sector attached to one of said side plates and engaging said damper-lever, substantially as set forth.

9. In an evaporator, the combination of the furnace having the side plates, the series of pans mounted upon the side plates, the open brackets secured to the side plates and projecting outwardly therefrom, and the props each comprising an arm extending through one of said brackets and an arm extending over said bracket and pivoted at the junction of said arms to a pan, substantially as set forth.

10. In an evaporator, the combination of the furnace having the angle-irons at the top thereof, the pans having the ribs at the bottoms and resting upon said angle-irons, the apertured partitions in said pans, the horizontal cooling-tubes extending along the tops of said partitions, the detachable hollow plugs connecting said pans, the open brackets secured to said furnace, and the props each comprising an arm adapted to engage one of said brackets either at the top or in the opening thereof and an arm projecting over the top of said bracket and pivoted to one of said pans, whereby said pans may be supported in inverted positions, substantially as set forth.

11. In an evaporator, the combination of the furnace comprising a pair of vertical side plates, angle-irons secured to the top edges of the side plates, a front plate secured to said side plates, doors hinged to said front plate, a rear plate secured to said side plates, a roof-plate secured to said side plates, a bottom plate secured to said side plates, a smokestack on said roof-plate, legs attached to said side plates, a damper situate between said side plates, grate-bars supported at the front end of said bottom plate, a hopper supported by said side and bottom and front plates below said grate-bars, linings for said bottom and side plates, and a slide mounted at the bottom of said hopper; the pans mounted upon said angle-irons, the hollow plugs forming ducts between said pans and having the valve-seat at each end thereof, the valves operating at a seat of said plugs, and the ashpan below said slide, substantially as set forth.

12. In an evaporator, the combination of the furnace having the open top, the pans having the apertured partitions provided with the cooling-tubes extending along the tops thereof, the detachable hollow pl ugs each havin g a valve-seat at each end thereof and formingadu et between two of said pans, the draincocks situate in proximity to said plugs, the valves operating at the seats of said plugs, the levers connected to said valves, the brackets attached to said pans and supporting said levers, the supply-tank adjacent one of said pans, the supply valve connected to said tank, the adjusting-rod connecting with said valve, the float mounted on one of said pans and connected with said adjusting-rod, the outlet-valve seated in one of said pans, and

the automatic Weigher connected to said outlet-valve, substantially as set forth.

13. In an evaporator, the combination of the furnace, the pans mounted on the furnace and having each the aperture at each of two opposite sides thereof in alinement, the Welts secured at said apertures, the hollow plugs removably inserted in said apertures and bearing against said welts, the valveseat at each end of said plugs, the brackets attached to portions of said pans, the levers pivoted to said brackets, and the valves connected to said levers and engaging said valve seats, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JASPER J. HENRY.

WVitnesses:

FRANCIS M. LYON, CHARLES T. PncK. 

